In recent days, we’ve seen writers wondering: “Is football necessary?” A whole lot of people believe that, due to the concussion and other injury factors, the NFL will be dead in 20 years. As in that nail on your door.

Is it spelled baloney or bologna? Doesn’t matter. Football isn’t going away like flatulence in a tornado. Because it’s too important to the United States of America.

Americans love action. A portion of us can’t get enough violence. It’s what we have become, which is why even a made-more-timid game has blown past mild, serene, close-to-being ideal baseball.

Plus, billions -- untold billions -- of dollars (most of it illegal) are wagered each year on the NFL alone. The League has become what it is because of television, because people who bet on games they usually wouldn’t care about find a rooting interest. NFL football has become average at the play level. Do you honestly believe ratings would be what they are if the bookies closed shop?

So football is necessary. It certainly beats mowing the lawn, watering the plants, dusting the lampshades. If baseball had any sense -- and maybe it will after Bud Selig retires -- it would start a month earlier. Because once September comes around, interest in the Grand Old Game turns to vapor (except for the seamheads, who have turned baseball into a statistical tangle of yarn).

The NFL, despite its faults on the grass, seemingly can’t lose off of it. The League just clobbered the players in their concussion lawsuit, settling for $760 million. That’s around $23 million per team. Chump change for these guys, considering, believe me. I don’t know there’s a government in the world that swings with such power.

We’re not even talking about college football. Try telling Southerners there won’t be football in 20 years. Football is their very existence. They may try seceding again. Imagine, no fantasy leagues. What would we do with ourselves?

There are too many college TV games on Saturdays to count. The NFL plays on Sundays, day and night, Monday night, Thursday night. NBC’s Sunday Night Football is the No. 1 show in the country.

No, football matters, and it isn’t going anywhere. These people are writing and yammering for writing and yammering sake. Me, I wouldn’t think of it. …

It’s crazy watching the NFL go about its business. Witness Von Miller. For all his shenanigans, which include getting busted for cheating on a drug test, the Denver linebacker gets suspended for six games. Should have been at least for the season …

So much for Miller’s absence hurting the Broncos, though …

The Chargers have to get safety Eric Weddle out of the box and back to quarterbacking the secondary. Their best defensive player is nowhere near as effective the way they’re playing him. He’s not a linebacker …

With Philip Rivers playing the way he is, the Chargers have to no-huddle-up and wing it. Hey, Mike McCoy isn’t getting fired in January …

After today’s match here with the Cowboys, there’s concern the Chargers’ final six home games won’t be sold out. They could play better. Or people could buy tickets and stay home. The NFL has made it far too enticing to watch games from the couch …

How much longer can Goodell put up with Pacman Jones? Come on, judge …

Bud Selig, the baseball commissioner who murdered a World Series and tried to turn the All-Star Game into a meaningful exhibition, will retire following the 2014 season. Good for Bud. He now can focus on searching for his long-lost spine …

Larry Lucchino would be an ideal commissioner. But he’s probably too intelligent and visionary …

Every so often, something great happens in baseball. The Yankees miss the playoffs. Every so often, something bad happens in baseball. The Dodgers make the playoffs …

Robinson Cano wants a 10-year, $305-million deal. For a 30-year-old second baseman? I have a better chance of doing a triathlon …